2nd BCT Media Links

This blog centralized media links for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division during its deployment from Korea to Iraq as part of OIF 2.5, Aug 2004 - July 2005. It was updated daily over the year, with only sporadic updates since. It is left on-line for historical interest (although many links are likely now broken) and as a tribute to the 2nd BCT servicemen who lost their lives serving in Iraq. May they rest in peace and may their legacy be forever remembered.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Articles 9.25.2005 - 9.29.2005

The Colorado Springs Gazette and the Rocky Mountain News report on a memorial service held at Ft. Carson for 4 fallen Soldiers of the 1-9th Infantry. Spc. Brian Vaughn, Spc. Nicholas Idalski, Spc. Nicholas Wilson, and Spc. Christopher Hoskins were eulogized by fellow Soldiers. Over 500 people attended the ceremony, including the 1-9th battalion commander, Lt. Col. Joseph Southwell. This was the final memorial for the 68 fallen 2nd BCT Soldiers.
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The Westchester Journal News, NY, has an article on a memorial built by the father of fallen 1-503rd Soldier Pfc. Michael Arciola, who was killed on 2.15.2005 in Ramadi. Robert Arciola built a 4-foot-high rock memorial with a bronze plaque on top with the names of all local fallen Soldiers and Marines killed in Afganistan and Iraq. The memorial is located in his back yard. Mr. Arciola, who is unable to travel, built the memorial so that he could pay tribute to his youngest son. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Veterans Day, Nov 11, 2005, and the local Mayor is helping coordinate the ceremony.
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The Colorado Springs Gazette and Denver Channel 7 report that a 2nd BCT soldier was killed in a hiking accident on 9.25.2005. Sgt. David Paredes and a friend were hiking in Cheyenne Canyon near Colorado Springs when he fell more than 100 yards to his death. He had recently returned to Colorado after spending block leave with his family near Chicago. Sgt. Paredes received his promotion to Sgt. posthumously. According to an 8.4.2005 Stars & Stripes article, Sgt. Paredes was with HHC, 1-9th Infantry. Our hearts go out to his family.
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There are more reports that Ramadi has been a deadly war zone in recent weeks. The Associated Press reports that "the U.S. military announced the deaths of five U.S. soldiers Wednesday in a roadside bombing during combat in Ramadi" on Thursday, 9.29.2005. The Salt Lake Tribune has two reporters embedded with Utah National Guard Units, and they have a very informative feature on the present situation in the Anbar Province. A few quotes:
- "Gunbattles have erupted here [in Ramadi] lately, at least once a week. Mortar and rocket attacks are common. Meanwhile, the work of building a government continues inside walls protected by the U.S. Marine Corps. A City Council has been formed. Tribal sheiks meet with military and municipal officials once a week. And the provincial governor of Al Anbar Province, one of the most heavily guarded - and targeted - men in the nation, each day arrives at work to try to restore order to a land that is, by all accounts, in chaos."
- "So even as patience wears thin in the United States, Al Anbar Governor Ma'amoun Sami Rashid al-Awani won't so much as entertain the thought of an American pullout. Even the idea of an American withdrawal, without a substitute, somebody to replace it, this is not good idea at all," al-Awani said in an interview in his Ramadi Government Center office. "They cannot withdraw."
- " The Iraqi Security Force is seeking to place 5,000 soldiers in Al Anbar. But two years into the building of this nation's new military, it has met less than two-fifths of that goal."

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Articles 9.16.2005 - 9.24.2005

The Associated Press reports on "heavy fighting" this week in Ramadi: "Heavy fighting surged Friday in the Euphrates River city of Ramadi, police and hospital officials said, and the U.S. military reported the deaths of two more soldiers around the militant stronghold, scene of nearly one-quarter of 29 American deaths this month. [...] The U.S. military declined to say if it was conducting a large offensive against Ramadi, but police and residents have reported heavy fighting there during the past week. Seven service members have died in or near the city, located 70 miles west of Baghdad, since Sept. 1."

Six of the 7 fallen service members were part of the 28th ID of the Pennsylvania National Guard and it's attached units. The 2nd BCT, 28th ID, replaced the 2nd BCT, 2nd ID in Ramadi. One Marine from the 3/7 Marines (which is presently replacing the 1/5 Marines) was also killed in Ramadi on 9.15.2005. Our hearts go out to their families.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Articles 9.8.2005 - 9.15.2005

The Associated Press has an article on the ongoing legal custody battle that arose over the remains of SSG Jason Hendrix of the 1-9th, who was killed on 2.16.2005 near Ramadi and buried in Oklahoma near his father's house. His mother is challenging the process that granted custody to SSG Hendrix's father. A civil court trial is schedule for October. An appeal by his mother's lawyer to remove the Judge due to alleged bias was turned down.
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The Spartansburg Herald-Journal has an article on one of the 2nd BCT soldiers in the rap duo "So Heated." Spc. Chandra Sullivan (aka "Dre"), a fuel specialist in the 1-9th, describes his motivations for and experiences with rapping in Ramadi. He plans to attend college and continue rapping after leaving the Army.
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I-Newswire has an article on the 2nd BCT, 28th ID, that replaced the 2nd BCT (2ID) in Ramadi. The article describes the history of the unit as they received their combat patches in Iraq. One quote: "The company assumed control of the Al Anbar Province from the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division during the Transfer of Authority ceremony on July 28, 2005, at Camp Ramadi, Iraq." Thus, the 2nd BCT assumed command in a ceremony on 9.11.2004 and turned over command on 7.28.2005. Although 2nd BCT units were reported to be in Iraq from late Aug 2004 to early Aug 2005, these appear to be the official dates of command in OIF.
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A separate I-Newswire report discusses coalition efforts in Ramadi to gather feedback from Sunni Iraqis regarding an constitutional referendum scheduled for vote on 10.15.2005.
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The Stars & Stripes has an article on the shipment of 11,000 lbs of 2nd ID memorabilia to its new home at Ft Carson.
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Knight Ridder News has an article with a dire perspective of the insurgent situation in the Al Anbar province. One quote: "Insurgents attack about 77 times a day in Iraq, according to Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, the top military spokesman in Iraq. In the Ramadi area alone, which has about 400,000 people, there are eight to 10 attacks daily, according to the office of Col. John Gronski, 49, of Moosic, Pa., who commands the Army task force that's responsible for Ramadi."
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A US Army Corps of Engineer press release indicates that "Construction will soon start on Ramadi’s new $8.4 million waste water treatment plant." According to the article, The waste water treatment plant will be capable of treating 30,000 cubic meters per day of effluent - large enough to serve both Ramadi (in excess of 200,000 people) and Tameem (with a 100,000 population) on the other side of the river."

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Articles 8.23.2005 - 9.7.2005

Pittsburgh Live reports on a 2nd BCT Soldier visiting a factory while on leave "to thank the employees for their efforts to turn out life-saving "transparent armor" windows for Humvee vehicles." Spc. Nathaniel Cornman, of the 1-503rd, visited the plant, where his uncle works, and brought along a baseball cap signed by Soldiers in his unit. Spc. Cornman describes several incidents, including 8 IED attacks on his vehicle, in which the glass provided safety for the Soldiers. One other quote: "the unit has been guaranteed a year stateside. But, "After that, it's up for grabs."
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The NY Post (via lockergnome.com) has an commentary article that mentions reenlistment numbers of selected units, including the 2nd BCT: "Every one of the Army's 10 divisions — its key combat organizations — has exceeded its re-enlistment goal for the year to date. Those with the most intense experience in Iraq have the best rates. The 1st Cavalry Division is at 136 percent of its target, the 3rd Infantry Division at 117 percent. Among separate combat brigades, the figures are even more startling, with the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division at 178 percent of its goal and the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Mech right behind at 174 percent of its re-enlistment target."
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The Stars & Stripes has an article evaluating the learning experiences of the 2nd BCT FRG site, which was the first virtual FRG site in the Army.
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Update on the 1/5 Marines in Ramadi, the company attached to the 2nd BCT from Mar-July 2005:

The North Country Times, CA, describes the current situation the 1/5 Marines are facing: "Gunmen have recently opened fire on Sunni Muslim leaders in the Iraqi city. Agents of al-Qaida in Iraq have posted threats on Ramadi's mosques vowing to attack anyone who participates in the October referendum to ratify the constitution, the drafting of which has already missed two deadlines in recent weeks. About 5,000 residents filled Ramadi's streets last weekend to protest the draft constitution, which they say excludes them, and Sunni tribal leaders have ordered Ramadi residents to attack Sunni extremists in the city who oppose the upcoming vote.Three car bombs targeting U.S. forces exploded in Ramadi on Wednesday, according to the Reuters news agency." One quote on the continuing mission in the town: "Despite the insurgency's grip on Ramadi, Nicholson said the Marines' mission will remain one of supporting the Iraqis so that maybe they can defeat the insurgency or at least sap its steam themselves."If we can keep the pressure off there, allowing the government to sink some roots, that's probably the only way they'll survive," Nicholson said. "The more the people of Ramadi see the Marines and the Iraqi forces working together, the more I think you'll see change."
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A MNF-Iraq news release from 8.23.2005 reports that "Multi-national forces raided a suspected terrorist hideout in Ramadi Aug. 23 and captured a pair of known terrorists based in Ramadi."